The chief constable of Hampshire Constabulary, Alex Marshall, is to leave the force to take up a position as the chief executive of the new national College of Policing. The announcement of Mr Marshall’s appointment was made today in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary Theresa May.

The date for Mr Marshall’s departure from Hampshire Constabulary is not yet confirmed, but is likely to be early 2013.

In a statement Mr Richards said he would co-operate fully with the investigation.

"Given the senior position I hold and the trust placed in me by the people of Sussex and my colleagues, it is absolutely right that the Sussex Police Authority has voluntarily referred this matter to the IPCC"